Report: Cameron Smith offered "$90 million" to join LIV Golf
Open winner Cameron Smith has reportedly been offered $90 million to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational series.
Open champion Cameron Smith has reportedly been offered $90 million to join LIV Golf, according to Colt Knost.
Former PGA Tour player turned on-course commentator Knost, 37, replied to a post on social media speculating about Smith's future.
No sooner had Smith, 28, claimed the Claret Jug at St Andrews which reduced him to tears, he was asked what his future plans were.
In his winner's press conference, Smith was involved in an awkward exchange with an Australian journalist that will make the PGA Tour shudder.
Smith was pressed on whether he would be joining LIV Golf, fronted by two-time Open winner and fellow Aussie Greg Norman.
The LIV Golf question everyone is tweeting about. Cam Smith with the death shot "i think thats... pretty, not that good" pic.twitter.com/Jn5FGtOUSf
— Let's Get Topical (@LGTopical) July 17, 2022
Here's the full exchange if you missed it:
Q. Cam, apologies for having to bring this up in these circumstances, but your name continues to be mentioned, has been mentioned to me this week about LIV golf. What's your position? Are you interested? Is there any truth to suggestions that you might be signing?
CAMERON SMITH: I just won the British Open, and you're asking about that. I think that's pretty not that good.
Q. I appreciate that, but the question is still there. Are you interested at all? Is there any truth in that?
CAMERON SMITH: I don't know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff. I'm here to win golf tournaments.
Make of that what you will.
Imagine what a punch in the gut it would be if Cam Smith joined LIV.
1. He just beat Rory
2. Apparently he lied to us when he said he was “pretty set/happy” with what he already has and sold out.
Like Rory said, all you have is your word.— Amanda Rose (@AmandaGolf59) July 18, 2022
Hearing 90 million was the number. I guess that could make ya do some rethinking!
— Colt Knost (@ColtKnost) July 18, 2022
Of course, at this moment in time it is all speculation. But we are expecting more LIV Golf announcements soon.
The most recent LIV Golf signee was former UNICEF ambassador Paul Casey.
Casey, 41, will make his LIV debut in New Jersey from July 29-31 at Trump Bedminster.
It was reported during the week that Casey and other LIV players will resort to playing Asian Tour events to gain world ranking points.
In other recent developments, it has been reported that Ryder Cup Europe captain Henrik Stenson is close to joining LIV Golf.
Sky Sports' golf correspondent Jamie Weir reported immediately after Smith won at the Old Course that Stenson will be announced.
That decision would see him stripped of the captaincy. Sergio Garcia has also confirmed that he will resign his DP World Tour membership.
"I don't feel loved," Garcia admitted after saying that he did not enjoy his week at St Andrews.